A Hero to Their Core

Chapter 6

I've been meaning to do this chapter for a while. But the stress of graduate school, as well as a relative passing and having to bury her on my birthday, messed me up for quite a while. I could barely write anything. But now I'm a bit better and can see my way forward. So on with the show.

(No POV)

As Lina and Joey left the stage, they gave a quick nod of encouragement to all of their student. One in particular was given a look to say he could do this. When Lina passed by Izuku she put a hand on his shoulder and nodded with a smile. And to the boy it was what he needed for encouragement so far. 'Thanks Davis-sensei. I'm still not entirely sure how to make OFA work for me…. But I intend to show everyone what I can do. And just like All Might tell them I AM HERE! Even if I don't smile while I'm saying it.' Izuku thinks before Midnight starts to announce what the first event will be.

She outlines the basics of the obstacle race and the fact that the student will all have three challenges to face going forward. "Now then students! Take your positions and get ready!" Midnight announces. Before the race can begin, Todoroki catches Izuku. "Its pretty clear that we're two of the most powerful students. And you have the eye of All Might. My father is watching, and I'm going to show him how I intend to win." "You aren't the only one competing here Todoroki. It's just like Jones-sensei said; all of us can show what kind of hero we can be. And I intend to show you and everyone else what I can do." Izuku says with a nervous but determined face.

As Midnight signals the start of the race, the first obstacle isn't one mentioned by the R-rated heroine. Instead, it is the narrow passageway out of the main stadium. The students all clamored and strained trying to get ahead of each other to secure a spot in the next round. They manage to break free and get out onto the main path.

Only for it to be frozen over thanks to Todoroki trying to make it as hard for everyone else to get ahead. But a few members of class 1-A have little trouble, as they maneuver around the icy obstacle. But then comes the first true challenge for the race. "There it is folks! Robo Inferno! The students have to pass up this series of robot villains from the entrance exam!" Present Mic announces as the students come up on the robot villains.

Though most of the hero students have no problem dealing with the variety of machines attacking them. With Todoroki completely freezing a Zero pointer, and Bakugo blasting through multiple robots at once. Izuku even takes out a robot by himself with a destroyed piece of one villain and using its momentum against it. He then does this to three more robots of increasing strength. 'I can't use my quirk quite right yet….. but Davis-sensei's teachings have helped me improve as a fighter!' Izuku thinks to himself.

He takes the piece of the robot with him, as he figures it will come in handy later. While running though he also starts to think about what they said about him being inefficient with his quirk. 'They said I'm trying to focus it in one place too much. But what else can I do? I can only turn it on or off at-' "Midoriya! Watch out!" Kirishima calls out as Izuku is coming up on the next obstacle.

"This is the Fall! Students must cross this gap to the best of their abilities!" Present Mic calls out over the speakers. Izuku had almost ran off the edge because he was so caught up in his thoughts. "Thanks Kirishima! That would have been a nasty fall." Izuku says before preparing to jump between the platforms. Kirishima tells Izuku it was no problem. "It just didn't feel right for you to lose or get dropped like that!" Izuku then focuses on the race before setting up for the final obstacle.

With Joey and Lina though, they are observing all of the students. But have a close eye on Izuku especially. "He's trying to think of a better way to use his power. But he's also forgetting that he's got other problems." Joey says with a critical eye. Lina nods but notes that Izuku did well against the robots. "It looks like those extra training sessions paid off. But they won't do him much good with this last challenge."

When Izuku and many others arrive, they are at the end of the minefield. Present Mic then explains that the students must make their way through the mine field to finish the race. "The mines aren't deadly, but they will knock you quite a ways! So, watch out!" Izuku puts together what Mic had said and sees his new way through the field. 'And a way to take the lead!'

He starts to dig up and reposition the land mines around him. While most of the students are trying to carefully maneuver. Or in the case of the current leaders (Bakugo and Todoroki) they are fighting for the top spot. Joey and Lina's smiles widen when they see what Izuku has in mind. "Rocket jump!" Lina quips with a chuckle. And Izuku does just that.

He slams the piece of metal onto the collected mines and propels himself forward right into the fighting Bakugo and Todoroki. He then starts to run as fast as he can without his quirk. But the other two students aren't going to give up that easy. "GET BACK HERE DEKU!" Bakugo shouts before blasting himself towards the greenette. Todoroki doesn't shout, but he thinks much the same.

Izuku tries to run faster but he can't put out more without his quirk. 'If I use everything then I'll break my legs. If I try to alternate between my legs it won't work! So what can I…. wait!' Izuku thinks before remembering what Joey had told him. "You need to do more than focus it in one spot." Izuku thinks more about what he said and puts together some of what needs to be done.

But he can't use it right away. For now, he slams down the metal he was using and knocks the two others away. While also propelling himself forward. He starts to run with all his might, and he is rewarded with first place in the race. Todoroki comes in second and looks at Izuku with rage plastered all over his face. Though it is nothing compared to the anger Bakugo has and makes very vocal.

As the rest file in, the whole of the audience is cheering for the top 42 students. Izuku though is standing off to the side, thinking about what he figured out during the race. He closes his eyes before activating OFA at the lowest power he can. And then rather than focus it on one point of his body, he spreads it toward his entire body. As Midnight is announcing the next event, Izuku is getting used to the feeling of this new state.

"Midoriya Izuku! Could you come up here please." Midnight calls out to the boy. Though she is a bit confused by the lightshow he is letting off. All of the sudden Izuku quickly leaps toward the stage. Midnight is surprised as is most of the audience and the students. "Um what was that?" "I figured something out during the race. I can actually use my quirk now. At least I think I can." Izuku reports with a bit of a smile.

This shocks most of the audience who assumed he just couldn't use his quirk with others around. "Wait…. So he took the number one spot… by being quirkless essentially!? How come none of the others could do that? Maybe they didn't want it as much. Or maybe they don't have enough of what Jones-san was talking about. And this kid does?" this and a handful of other comments are said around the audience. While the students are all a bit confused and somewhat insulted that he didn't need to even use his quirk to beat most of them.

But Lina and Joey are happy and proud of Izuku for figuring out what he needed to do. "He put it together finally. He was too focused on just one spot. I used to only focus on my legs when I used my speed. Leaving the punches to Heroman. But over time, I came to realize that the speed could be focused on my whole body." Joey said while looking up at the screen. Lina nodded before saying, "he just needed to think less about put everything out in one blow. Or focusing on one spot to unleash what he can in a small amount. And instead focus on the small amount everywhere."

Midnight then explains that the next battle is a calvary battle. With point increments going up from the 42nd place finisher. "But there is a catch. The number one spot; yours young Midoriya….. is worth ten million points!" Midnight says with a flourish of her whip. This shocks everyone, with the Center City heroes worried for Izuku. "No one will want to team up with him! With that big of a target all the rest will be gunning for him!" Lina says with worry lacing her voice.

Joey just looks up at the screen before saying, "I think that's the point. Remember what it was like for me for quite a while. I was one of the only heroes in the world for a time. People kept coming to challenge me or try to take me down. Me and Heroman. And even with a few more appearing, we still had to worry every day about the next fight. They're trying to show how being the number 1, or really any hero comes with the risk of those who want to challenge you." Lina looks back at her boyfriend with worry as well. Before calling him out on not telling her about some of those issues sooner. Joey then sweat drops before trying to calm his girlfriend, while she gently punches his head.

Back with the students though, they all eye up Izuku. Some even try to get away so they don't have to worry about the target that could be painted on their backs. Izuku tries to put together a team with less than stellar results. "This is not going to be easy." Izuku says after Sato and Koda both turn him down. "Don't worry Deku-kun! You aren't that alone!" Ochaco then says behind him, before offering to team up with him. Izuku nods, and then is quickly rushed by a student from the support division.

"Hey there! I'm Hatsume Mei! And you Mr. Ten million are my ticket to recognition and limelight!" Mei says before offering some of the support gear she had built to aid their team. As well as explaining that she was only there to try and catch the eye of support companies. Izuku then thinks that they need a fourth. "Hey Ida! Any chance you'd be willing to work with me?" "I'm sorry Izuku. As much as I'd like to, Todoroki has already asked me. And to be frank… I need to face you head on. I can't grow as a better hero if I don't face off with you. Especially now that you have figured out how to use your quirk more efficiently." Ida says with a determined look. He then notes that he knows Izuku will make it to the final round, and he will face him there.

"Well what do we do now muscles?" Mei asks with a big smile across her face. Izuku sighs before heading to his next option. As well as noting in his head he sees what Tenya is getting at. 'He's another rival. Just like Kaachan and Todoroki. And now that I know how to use my power, I can see a way to fight with it.' With that thought finished, he meets up with the last member of his team for the calvary battle.

Tokoyami Fumikage. The bird headed, dark shadow wielding member of class 1-A. "I think I understand what you have in mind. You want me to be the front right?" Tokoyami asks after explaining some of the drawbacks to his quirk. Izuku smiles before explaining his plan.

With that done and all the teams set, the calvary battle can begin. Bakugo was teamed up with Sero, Ashido and Kirishima as his front horse. Ida is the lead horse for the team of Todoroki, Momo, and Kaminari. For Izuku's team, Ochaco is at the back with Mei. Both are wearing some of the support gear that the Scope eyed girl had developed. And standing at the front horse position, is Izuku himself. While the rider is Tokoyami.

"Are you positive about this strategy Midoriya?" Tokoyami asks with Dark Shadow out. Izuku nods before saying, "they were all probably betting on me being the rider and thinking of ways to counter what strength I've figured out. But on the other hand, you have the advantage of extra reach and can keep the headbands covered up much better than I can." Izuku then notes that he can get them all to move around much faster thanks to his new skill with his quirk.

"And with my babies locking out hands with muscles here, we don't have to worry about losing our grip when he kicks into gear." Mei says while chuckling like a mad woman. With the hero students wondering if she was alright in the head. With the other teams: Bakugo and Todoroki are both annoyed that they won't be facing off with Izuku more directly. While most of the rest are questioning the best counter for the bird headed student's quirk.

"Smart move. He knew most of the teams would be focused on him and him alone. So he went around the problem. While making the rest question how they could fight next. I can't wait to see what happens next." Lina analyzes before grabbing a soda. Joey is thinking much the same, while being proud of Izuku for thinking about the big picture. 'The you are here approach helps to reassure people. But there are time when you have to step back and let others take the lead.'

With the teams set and a final look around from Midnight, she cracks her whip to begin the battle.

I know this may have taken a while, and it doesn't focus on the Heroman characters much. But really that's kind of the point. The two from Center City are already heroes who have been teaching the rest. So this next set is about what some of the students may have learned from the two. Izuku being the lead one. Please review!